Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a press conference. A media briefing that would deliver a ruling so fundamental to the sovereignty of Ireland's economic independence that the Irish government decided it required careful consideration and meticulous reaction. Many tireless hours were spent assiduously assessing every possible scenario to ensure that no matter what the outcome of the ruling, the Irish Government would be ready to save all the people of the kingdom.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a press conference. A media briefing that would deliver a ruling so fundamental to the sovereignty of Ireland's economic independence that the Irish government decided it required careful consideration and meticulous reaction. Many tireless hours were spent assiduously assessing every possible scenario to ensure that no matter what the outcome of the ruling, the Irish Government would be ready to save all the people of the kingdom.

In preparation for the event, scores of political advisors worked furiously behind the scenes all summer, craftily checking out the views of their colleagues. Civil servants scoured their rolodexes on a pan-European intelligence-gathering mission that would leave Jason Bourne in the shade. Ministers worked tirelessly at clandestine Cabinet meetings, searching for agreement. No stone was left unturned. Because this ruling would not only be crucial today, it could prove crucial for all of our tomorrows.

Alas, that is just a fairy story, a fallacy that was in fact replaced by an epic political horror show of ineptitude and bungling.

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